Explore

Rhode Island Supreme Court Voids Special Liquor License Exemption, Impacting Providence Restaurant and Future Legislative Practices

Rhode Island Supreme Court Voids Special Liquor License Exemption, Impacting Providence Restaurant and Future Legislative Practices

The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently struck down a state law that granted a special exemption for Estiatorio Fili, a Greek restaurant in Providence, to obtain a liquor license. This ruling jeopardizes the restaurant's ability to serve alcohol, with owner George Potsidis planning to adapt his menu for a potential indefinite dry period starting in September. The 2023 law, passed by the General Assembly, allowed the Providence Board of Licenses to bypass a state regulation that restricts liquor licenses when a majority of neighboring property owners object. The court found that the General Assembly's action, which specifically targeted the restaurant's address, violated the Home Rule Amendment of the Rhode Island Constitution. This amendment dictates that laws affecting municipal 'property, affairs, and government' must either apply statewide or be approved by local voters. The court determined that the exemption did neither, raising questions about the validity of similar exemptions previously granted by ...

Representative Panetta Secures $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Monterey Regional Airport Terminal

Representative Panetta Secures $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Monterey Regional Airport Terminal

United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) has announced $2,368,257 in federal funding for the construction of a new replacement terminal at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY). This grant, provided through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, will specifically cover the design team's inspection activities during Phase 7 of the project. The new terminal is planned to be a 62,754-square-foot public space featuring five gates and passenger boarding bridges. The existing terminal, which opened in 1950, needs to be replaced to accommodate federally mandated operational safety enhancements for Taxiway A, which connects to the airport’s primary commercial runway. The new design emphasizes accessibility, ease of navigation for passengers, and the ability to meet growing demand, while also incorporating sustainable materials and aiming to be zero-net-energy ready, reflecting the Monterey region's environmental values. This funding builds on previous efforts by Rep. Panetta, ...

California Bill Seeks to Expedite San Jose Diridon Station Rebuild by Exempting Environmental Review

California Bill Seeks to Expedite San Jose Diridon Station Rebuild by Exempting Environmental Review

Senate Bill 1375, introduced by California State Senator Dave Cortese, aims to accelerate the redevelopment of the San Jose Diridon Station by exempting certain rail station hub modernization projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill has cleared the Assembly floor with San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra as co-author and is expected to return to the state Senate for a concurrence vote before potentially heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. The Diridon Station project, estimated to cost between $3 billion and $6 billion, is envisioned as the central hub for Northern California's public transportation network. Marian Lee, Caltrain consultant and Diridon Station program liaison, stated that a CEQA exemption could reduce the overall timeline by approximately one year, moving the project into preliminary engineering sooner. Senator Cortese emphasized that the bill is intended to streamline the review process and avoid redundant environmental impact reports, as previous reviews fo...

Palm Beach Post

Allegiant adds 9 new nonstop Florida routes starting at $49 one-way

Allegiant adds 9 new nonstop Florida routes starting at $49 one-way

Check the new Allegiant routes, destinations and launch dates before booking spring 2027 travel.

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner's Seat in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District Faces Republican Primary Challenge

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner's Seat in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District Faces Republican Primary Challenge

A recent poll conducted by The Pell Center at Salve Regina University indicates a competitive Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner. The party-endorsed challenger, Stephen Skoly, a Cranston oral surgeon, holds a 7-point lead over Marine Corps veteran Vic Mellor. This lead is just outside the 5.6% margin of error for questions specific to Republican voters. The survey, conducted from August 3 to 11, polled 857 likely primary voters and has a general margin of error of 3.6%, with a 4.2% error margin for Democratic primary-specific questions. The outcome of this primary will determine who challenges U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner in the general election.

State Bill Aims to Accelerate San Jose Diridon Station Redevelopment by Exempting Environmental Review

State Bill Aims to Accelerate San Jose Diridon Station Redevelopment by Exempting Environmental Review

A new state bill, Senate Bill 1375, co-authored by San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra and introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, seeks to expedite the redevelopment of San Jose's Diridon Station. The bill proposes to exempt certain rail station hub modernization projects, including Diridon Station, from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This exemption is intended to streamline the environmental review process, which has already consumed years for the project, and potentially reduce the overall construction timeline by approximately one year. The Diridon Station redevelopment is a significant undertaking, estimated to cost between $3 billion and $6 billion, and is envisioned as the future centerpiece of Northern California's public transportation network. The bill has passed the Assembly and is awaiting a concurrence vote in the Senate before potentially heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Previous environmental reviews for high-speed rail and Caltrain did not cover the entire station foo...

Low-cost airline exits entire market, leaves city after 12 years

Low-cost airline exits entire market, leaves city after 12 years

With the cost of jet fuel continuing to sit at years-long highs amid lack of a ceasefire on the war of Iran, almost every airline in the world is trimming its network to cut any routes not bringing in the necessary traffic. Particularly for smaller airlines, flying a route half-full can result in ...

Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools

Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools

A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities

Governor McKee Orders 60-Day Review of Automatic License Plate Readers in Rhode Island

Governor McKee Orders 60-Day Review of Automatic License Plate Readers in Rhode Island

Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island has issued a directive for all municipalities in the state to temporarily halt the installation and activation of new automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, including those from Flock. This pause is in effect while the state conducts a comprehensive 60-day review of the technology. The primary objective of this review, according to Governor McKee, is to establish uniform statewide standards for the use of ALPRs and the management of the data they collect. During this review period, the Rhode Island State Police are permitted to continue operating their existing Flock cameras under their current guidelines. The review process will involve key stakeholders, including Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell Weaver, the Rhode Island Leagues of Cities and Towns, and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association, with recommendations expected by mid-October.

ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease

ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease

Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded cable TV sports giant ESPN, has died at the age of 93

Democrats Rebuke President Trump Over Reduced Military Drills with South Korea

Democrats Rebuke President Trump Over Reduced Military Drills with South Korea

President Trump is facing significant criticism from Democratic lawmakers following his decision to 'substantially reduce' joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. The President announced this move on Sunday, citing his 'very good relationship' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Democratic Senator Andy Kim stated that decisions about joint exercises should be made jointly, not unilaterally via social media, emphasizing the strategic partnership with South Korea as a 'linchpin for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.' Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal labeled the decision 'dangerous' for regional stability, while Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it 'inane,' suggesting it signals that 'America’s commitments are negotiable.' Republican Senator Thom Tillis also criticized the move, arguing it allows North Korea to increase support for Russia in Ukraine.

Senators Grassley and Whitehouse Criticize Treasury Department's Exemption to Corporate Transparency Act

Senators Grassley and Whitehouse Criticize Treasury Department's Exemption to Corporate Transparency Act

U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have issued a joint statement criticizing the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)'s final rule, which permanently exempts over 99% of entities previously required to report beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The CTA, passed with strong bipartisan support, was designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities by requiring companies to disclose their true owners. The senators, who were original sponsors of the CTA's precursor, argue that exempting U.S.-based companies from these reporting requirements undermines the law's intent. This final rule follows a March 2025 announcement by the Treasury Department to narrow the scope of the rule to foreign reporting companies only and to eliminate reporting requirements for most domestic corporations and LLCs.